Horse show shopping list: what to bring

A horse show needs more than jumps and ribbons. You will need equipment for the course, safe care for horses, registration and judging, visitor comfort, signage and clear announcements. This shopping list brings those groups together so you can check what must be bought, hired or transported to the grounds. Plan the final shopping trip after registrations and the programme are confirmed, because the number of competitors affects signage, numbers, seating and horse facilities.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
High tablesqty 8
Long tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 100
Bar stoolsqty 8
Registration desk
Judges' table
Waste binsqty 8

Sports equipment

Race barriersqty 40
Course lettersqty 12
Spring stanchionsqty 16
Springboardsqty 24
Water bowl
Dressage fences
Horse stallsqty 12
Hay netsqty 12
Horse water troughsqty 12
Wheelbarrowsqty 2
Forksqty 4
Scoopsqty 3
Obstacle numbersqty 20
Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Haltersqty 12
Lunge linesqty 12
Emergency blankets for horsesqty 6

Equipment

Megaphonesqty 2
Wireless microphone
Speakerqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Cash register
Payment terminal
Notice boardqty 2

Tableware

Glassesqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 100
Platesqty 120
Forksqty 120
Knivesqty 120
Spoonsqty 120

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Serving utensilsqty 12

Decorations

Buntingqty 10
Balloonsqty 100
Rosettesqty 30
Trophiesqty 12
Prize ribbonsqty 30

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 6
LED lanternsqty 8

Cleaning

Broomqty 4
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Bucketsqty 4
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Hand broomsqty 4
Horse poop bagsqty 200
Paper towel dispenserqty 2

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 4
Safety vestsqty 12
Flashlightsqty 6
Barrier tapeqty 6
Traffic conesqty 20

Paper goods

Bib numbersqty 40
Program leafletsqty 150
Pensqty 20
Clipboardsqty 8
Name stickersqty 100

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 3 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blue - 10 crates
- Spa Rood - 4 crates
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Buns - 150 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Gluten-free rolls - 10 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Egg salad - 2 kilo
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 2 kilos
- Herb cheese - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Nut mix - 3 kilo
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Baby carrots - 4 kilos
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Muffins - 100 pieces
- Spice cake - 6 pieces
- Chocolate bars - 100 pieces
- Chewing gum - 20 packs
- Oats - 25 kilos
- Horse feed - 3 bags
- Hay - 12 bales
- Carrots for horses - 25 kilos
- Apples for horses - 10 kg
- Salt blocks - 12 pieces
- Wood fiber - 20 bales
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Compostable trash bags - 50
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper cups - 300 pieces
- Paper plates - 200 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 300 pieces
- Toothpicks - 2 boxes

Tips

Allow at least one registration table, one jury table and enough chairs for the officials and volunteers working at those points. Add high or long tables only where people will actually stand or sit during the day.
Prepare horse-care supplies for the full programme, not just arrival. Water bowls, water troughs, hay nets, forks, scoops, wheelbarrows and cleaning buckets are easy to overlook when attention is focused on the competition equipment.
Check every power requirement before loading the sound equipment. Count the wireless microphone, speaker, megaphones, extension cords and power strips together, and bring enough cable length to reach the announcer’s position safely.
Pack course materials as a separate, labelled group. Course letters, obstacle numbers, competition fences, spring stanchions, springboards and dressage fences should be checked against the final disciplines and course plan before transport.
Buy or collect prizes, ribbons, race numbers and route signs before the final week. Keep a small reserve of printed numbers and signs, since late registration changes or damaged materials are difficult to replace on event morning.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a horse show?: You need course equipment such as competition fences, course letters, obstacle numbers, spring stanchions, springboards and dressage fences. Also plan horse-care items, registration and jury tables, seating, waste bins and sound equipment.
How much horse water equipment should I bring to a horse show?: Bring enough water bowls and troughs for every horse area in use, plus at least one spare container if space allows. Check the number of confirmed horses before shopping and provide a clear cleaning and refill routine for the event day.
When should I buy horse show prizes and ribbons?: Buy prizes and ribbons once the disciplines and programme are confirmed, ideally no later than one week before the show. This leaves time to check quantities and replace missing or damaged items.
What should I pack for horse show announcements?: Pack one wireless microphone, a speaker, megaphones, extension cords and power strips, then test them before moving to the venue. Complete the sound check at least 60 minutes before the first class or announcement.

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